Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Police have constituted two special teams to trace a chain-snatching accused who escaped from police custody while being taken to the police station after his arrest in connection with a gold chain theft case.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) Ravishankar K said the accused, identified as Althaf Hussain (40), a native of Bagalkot, escaped from custody on Friday after allegedly assaulting a police constable.

Accused linked to chain-snatching case

According to the police, Althaf Hussain, along with Ravi Bowra (39) of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and Mohammed Sahil Siddiq (26) of Uttar Pradesh, was involved in a chain-snatching incident reported at Sooterpete under the jurisdiction of the Mangaluru South Police Station on June 14.

The trio allegedly targeted a woman near the Sooterpete Village Accountant’s Office by approaching her on the pretext of seeking directions before snatching her gold chain and fleeing from the spot.

A case was subsequently registered at the Mangaluru South Police Station and an investigation was launched.

Police launch search operation

DCP Ravishankar said the police have intensified the search operation and launched combing operations across the city and neighbouring areas to trace the absconding accused.

“CCTV footage has captured the accused escaping from custody. Police are analysing the footage and have alerted various checkpoints. We appeal to the public to immediately inform the police control room or the nearest police station if they spot him,” the DCP said.

The CCTV footage of Althaf Hussain escaping from police custody is also being displayed on LED screens installed under the Mangaluru Smart City project to assist in his identification and arrest.

Modus operandi of the accused

During the investigation, police found that the accused had arrived in Mangaluru on June 14 and stayed at a lodge in the city.

Subsequently, two of the accused travelled to Manjeshwar by bus, allegedly stole a motorcycle and rode it back to Mangaluru. Using the stolen bike, they approached the victim under the guise of asking for directions before snatching her gold chain.

Police investigations further revealed that the gang’s modus operandi involved fleeing by train from the nearest railway station after committing the crime.

Arrest and dramatic escape

On the morning of June 26, Mangaluru South Police personnel noticed three men behaving suspiciously near Rosario School while investigating the chain-snatching case.

During questioning, the trio reportedly failed to provide satisfactory answers and claimed they were cloth merchants from Mumbai. Further inquiry and verification led the police to establish their involvement in the June 14 chain-snatching incident.

Police suspect that the accused were planning another chain-snatching offence in the area when they were intercepted.

After confirming their role in the crime, the police apprehended all three accused and were taking them to the Mangaluru South Police Station when Althaf Hussain allegedly pushed and assaulted a police constable before escaping from custody.

The other two accused have been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody.

Public urged to assist police

The city police have appealed to members of the public to cooperate with the investigation and immediately share any information regarding the whereabouts of the absconding accused.

Officials said all available resources have been deployed to trace Althaf Hussain, and efforts are underway to arrest him at the earliest.